Messi is better than maradona....

well I'm not the one that started the comparison am I ? :lol: But your point is fair, though I believe Maradona could have easily adjusted his game to Barça's current needs and become more of a goal-scorer had he wanted to.

Boss' post is also a fair one, but I wish to see Messi deliver the same kind of passing in a different outfit, it's too easy to do it at your childhood club with team-mates and tactics you've known for ages!!

You could argue that Messi could change his game if required as well but is needed in his current role? Messi has shown a great range of passing as well and does set up a lot of goals. Also I don't think it is as simple as you think and you can just simply flick a switch and become a different player. I don't think they are exactly the same type of players

You cant blame Messi for the team he plays in either, if he wasn't in this side I think they wouldn't of won the title or the CL, thats how big his influence is imo.
 
Messi is the best ever...

Only to people whom have never watch EL DIEGO.
 
Messi strikes fear into opponents. If you look at the first goal, Evra could've covered Pedro, but he was too scared (and rightfully so) to let Messi go one on one with one of our centre backs, so he tried to push up to Messi and that left Pedro free. He makes space for his team mates by just being on the pitch.
 
Not a chance. Seen both play and heard my father talk about Pele from first hand experience. For me, it goes very simply:

Pele > Maradona >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Messi and everyone else.

Win a world cup, then we start talking.
 
Maradona must've been some player, because Messi is shitting out every single team he comes up against currently.

Still don't like engaging any argument regarding national teams. It's always going to be a bizarre argument considering the nature of international football. Club football is a much, much better judge of a player's level of ability. I can't see the logic in using the world cup or international football as a stick to beat Messi with. I mean, it's always been bizarre given that football is very much a team game, but even more so in the case of Messi.
 
Messi is probably better than Maradona (who was so one footed it is a wonder he could stand up) although you really need to wait until the end of Messi's career to truly judge. Pele is a hard one given that he played most of his football in Brazil and/or internationals not to mention the huge differences between his era and the modern era. Best was also outrageously talented and is one of the few that deserves to be mentioned alongside players like Pele.
 
I don't think he can be considered the best ever until he leads Argentina to World Cup glory. That's just the way it goes.
 
Messi's passing ability is absolutely magical and inventive at the same time. Don't know what you're implying here, but his vision is easily on Maradona's level.

Because you've seen so much of Maradona and all...
 
Football is a game of goals and there is no denying that Messi is a better goalscorer than Maradona, arguably much better goalscorer. Maradona was slightly better at dribbling and passing the ball but he wasn't as good at scoring goals. How many goals did Maradona score in his most prolific season ever? 25?

I'd put it this way. Maradona was capabale of scoring more difficult and brilliant goals than Messi but the latter is capable of scoring much more goals than Maradona.
 
Messi's passing ability is absolutely magical and inventive at the same time. Don't know what you're implying here, but his vision is easily on Maradona's level.

Messi is magic as a passer, but Diego was better in that department.

I don't think Maradona would have the same impact on this team as Messi. Yes, he'd create chances galore for his teammates, but there is no shortage of that in this team as it is. Messi's goals are more instrumental for this side than Maradona's passing could be and I don't think Diego could score as many goals as Messi does.

That doesn't mean Messi is necessarily a better player. But he obviously has sides to his game Diego didn't (and vice versa) and is standing on the same perch as a player, imo.
 
Football is a game of goals and there is no denying that Messi is a better goalscorer than Maradona, arguably much better goalscorer. Maradona was slightly better at dribbling and passing the ball but he wasn't as good at scoring goals. How many goals did Maradona score in his most prolific season ever? 25?

I'd put it this way. Maradona was capabale of scoring more difficult and brilliant goals than Messi but the latter is capable of scoring much more goals than Maradona.

43.

Highest he got in Europe was 23 though.
 
Messi does that himself.

even moreso than messi, maradona was like a one man team, he could everything apart from central defence he could even play in goal or score with his hand :lol:.

joking aside, i think most people arguing messi's corner haven't seen what maradona has done, look at the video, he usually man marked with three players constantly around him, and he still manages something special, Messi in another team won't have the protection of passing short to Xavie, Iniesta, Biscuits and Villa, he would be singled out and man marked, you can't do that to Barca because they have too many great players who can damage you.

The comparison is only valid when Messi has done it with more ordinary team single handily and won a world cup single handily, like even fat ronaldo did.
 
Messi is the best there has ever been. He might need to win the World Cup to cement that argument but he has everything Maradonna had only Messi does it in every game where as Maradonna only did it from time to time when he wasnt hung over.
 
Football is a game of goals and there is no denying that Messi is a better goalscorer than Maradona, arguably much better goalscorer. Maradona was slightly better at dribbling and passing the ball but he wasn't as good at scoring goals. How many goals did Maradona score in his most prolific season ever? 25?

I'd put it this way. Maradona was capabale of scoring more difficult and brilliant goals than Messi but the latter is capable of scoring much more goals than Maradona.

so by that rule C. Ronaldo is better than maradona aswell. :wenger:

Pele scored many goals but still today there are arguments as to who is better? Pele Maradona. The only player who came close to entering into that bracket was Fat Ronaldo, where something is produced under pressure or when the team is losing, and to go on an win the world cup even when half fit. He didn't due to injury. I could go on but you should get the jist of what i mean. Messi has a chance and a great chance at that of doing the same but he is NOT there yet. so please don't compare him yet.
 
Messi is the best there has ever been. He might need to win the World Cup to cement that argument but he has everything Maradonna had only Messi does it in every game where as Maradonna only did it from time to time when he wasnt hung over.

Sorry he does not have everything Maradona had, Messi does not have the ridiculous skill of Maradona, maybe only Ronaldhinio came close.
 
With players like Messi, Pastore and Aguero being young and with two or three WC's ahead of them atleast, Argentina have no excuses not to win really, aside from Spain.

feck.

Seriously though, Messi is already one of the greatest, but to seal the deal he needs a World Cup win.
 
With players like Messi, Pastore and Aguero being young and with two or three WC's ahead of them atleast, Argentina have no excuses not to win really, aside from Spain.

feck.

Seriously though, Messi is already one of the greatest, but to seal the deal he needs a World Cup win.

You forgot Tevez, Higauin, Di Maria, their midfield is no where near as good as the spainards though.
 
so by that rule C. Ronaldo is better than maradona aswell. :wenger:

Pele scored many goals but still today there are arguments as to who is better? Pele Maradona. The only player who came close to entering into that bracket was Fat Ronaldo, where something is produced under pressure or when the team is losing, and to go on an win the world cup even when half fit. He didn't due to injury. I could go on but you should get the jist of what i mean. Messi has a chance and a great chance at that of doing the same but he is NOT there yet. so please don't compare him yet.

Like Maradona, and unlike Ronaldo, Messi is heavily involved in the build up play. Maradona was a playmaker, Ronaldo isn't. The point was that Maradona and Messi have similar roles in their teams but Messi scores more goals.
 
The comparison is only valid when Messi has done it with more ordinary team single handily and won a world cup single handily, like even fat ronaldo did.

No it's not and Ronaldo never did.
 
I said this about a year ago and got a lot of stick for it, but Messi is already on par with Maradona and given that he's 23, will soon forge new territory as the best ever. I think Diego gets inflated a bit by people who grew up watching him and are in denial that anyone could actually be better than the player they grew up watching. I'm from that generation as well and also happen to think Messi is on par with Maradona, as do an increasing number of people who are running out of obstacles as to why he couldn't be.
 
Done this a million times. 1) win world cup, preferably single handedly and 2) go to an equivalent club like Napoli and do wonders for them. Not rocket mathematics.

Thing about Messi is that he's almost guaranteed a life-time contract at Barcelona if he wants and which he wants, so why the hell would he want to leave Barca?
 
I said this about a year ago and got a lot of stick for it, but Messi is already on par with Maradona and given that he's 23, will soon forge new territory as the best ever. I think Diego gets inflated a bit by people who grew up watching him and are in denial that anyone could actually be better than the player they grew up watching. I'm from that generation as well and also happen to think Messi is on par with Maradona, as do an increasing number of people who are running out of obstacles as to why he couldn't be.

Players who actually shared the field with Maradona think Messi is already at least on a par. This speaks volumes.
 
With players like Messi, Pastore and Aguero being young and with two or three WC's ahead of them atleast, Argentina have no excuses not to win really, aside from Spain.

feck.

Seriously though, Messi is already one of the greatest, but to seal the deal he needs a World Cup win.

Maradona in charge of them?


Oh you mean from now on?

Yeah I agree.

Also with regards to the comparison, it's fair enough Messi needs to do some things Maradona has done but the same it's also vise versa.

If Messi needs to, for some bizarre reason leave Barca and do it at a smaller club.

Maradona should have left to dominate at a bigger club and win all the titles being the star man etc.

Including the European Cup, scoring in 2 different finals against the greatest club ever.

Both of their checklists aren't full.
 
I said this about a year ago and got a lot of stick for it, but Messi is already on par with Maradona and given that he's 23, will soon forge new territory as the best ever. I think Diego gets inflated a bit by people who grew up watching him and are in denial that anyone could actually be better than the player they grew up watching. I'm from that generation as well and also happen to think Messi is on par with Maradona, as do an increasing number of people who are running out of obstacles as to why he couldn't be.

Being from that generation, and having seen the wars Maradona had to go through, I kind of still agree with your point. Messi has everything now to be as good as Maradona and boy am I thankful that I get to see that again (a Maradona clone). Never in my lifetime did I think I would see Maradona TWICE in my lifetime if you get my point.

The only thing I long for is Messi to put this argument to bed, maybe in a few years time, by moving from Barcelona and doing spectacular things at another club. And for his country too. But he has so much time on his side its ridiculous.

When he hits 30+ I will decide who was the 'better' of the two. Secretly hoping for a draw. :p
 
Messi strikes fear into opponents. If you look at the first goal, Evra could've covered Pedro, but he was too scared (and rightfully so) to let Messi go one on one with one of our centre backs, so he tried to push up to Messi and that left Pedro free. He makes space for his team mates by just being on the pitch.

so what do you think defenders did when they saw Maradaona going at them ? -
Messi has some way to go before gets to Maradonas level -

best Brazilian I ever saw was Maradona

sorry Marcos
 
Enough with the World Cup bullshit. It happens, it's a matter of chance, as someone said it's the hands they're dealt. He may come to win it in the future, as he may very well not. It won't be this to define if he will be regarded as good or better than Maradona, it's much less important than him keeping his current level for a few more years.

In my book, the consistency that Messi has shown in the more recent 2 Champions League he won (not counting the first one) is a great feat. Granted he didn't won them single handedly, but player a major part in both, and showed he can play at the highest level and is not just a flat track bully.

If that's not proving himself internationally (at what is now the top level of international football, with the best teams and players in the world) than I don't know what is.
 
Why does he need to prove himself in a WC when the WC plays second fiddle CL in terms of difficulty?
 
But really, those arguing that Messi has to imitate Maradona to equal him are idiots.

Where is Maradona's european cups? Why did he not score anywhere near as many goals as Messi in Europe, why did he only ever thrive when he was a big fish in a small pond?

These are rubbish arguments of course and they are rubbished by the evidence of watching him play and being sensational. And the same goes for Messi. Look at him play and the 'he needs to do it for a small club' arguments are rubbished.

I'll say this: If Maradona had delivered the kind of performance Messi did tonight, everyone would be saying it was Vintage Diego, as good as its gets and no one else is his equal. Whether that makes Messi juts as good or better is hard to say. But it does mean he is worth being mentioned in the same breath as Pele and Maradona. He has already left the likes of Zidane and Ronaldinho in his wake.

Absolutely spot on.

People are fecking naive here.They want Messi to imitate Maradona.

Its just naive. I bet if Messi was at the time of Maradona and Maradona was playing now, most would have said Maradona not as good as Messi.

I think they are on similar level currently.Whats astonishing is Messi is only 23.
 
Because it puts you outside your comfort zone and piles on the most pressure.

I think Messi is unbelievable but I still want to see him outside Barcelona or outside of that dream team. I want to see him play infront of a midfield that doesn't control 70 percent of the possession whether they play with Barca or with Spain. It doesn't mean he isn't awesome. He is clearly the best footballer around and by a good few miles, but I do want to see him tested to that degree.

It's what you always want to see with great people. Fergie had to rise to the challenge of being so far behind Liverpool with a team that hadn't won the league in decades, had to deal with changing times and billionaire owners (Chelsea) and now limited funds (it seems). Sachin had to be the greatest despite being in an ordinary cricket team. Not that Messi hasn't overcome odds but I'd like to see him up against it and not be in his comfort zone and then do amazing things.

I would like to see Messi out of his comfort zone. Not saying that's the ONLY measure but for my own clarity of opinion I'd like to see that.
 
The problem with these kinds of threads is the majority of posters are too young to make any sort of valid comparison. Then again, some of the old cnuts are just as bad for the "it was better in my day" wistfulness.
 
I was lucky enough to see Maradona play and for me Messi isn't quite there yet. Maradona came as close as any player in history to carrying a team to a world cup win, and he was only 25 at the time.

Messi is very very good but he has some pretty good players around him and they all play as one unit in a system they grew up in.
 
i was lucky enough to see maradona play and for me messi isn't quite there yet. Maradona came as close as any player in history to carrying a team to a world cup win, and he was only 25 at the time.

messi is very very good but he has some pretty good players around him and they all play as one unit in a system they grew up in.

26?
 
Erm .......no actually he is'nt better than Maradona

Having seen them both from the start of their careers he wont be either.

He at least needs to make an impact wearing that Argentina shirt. I'm not saying he has win world cups etc etc but he really has to perform much better for his country than he has up to now

Btw Maradona plied his trade when defences were king. Very different game to the more open attacking space driven game we now have on offer.

I love Messi but again I do question the strength of the Spanish league as well.

I really believe the bottom 6 of la Liga would not get out of our Championship league

He wont go there but I'd be interested to see how he coped for ten months in either Italy or even here at Stoke on a cold February night week after week

Not dissing his abilities but you have to honestly admit he's in a league that best shows his gifts and allows him to do as he wants